PHYS2631 Theoretical Physics 2 (2018/19)

Details of the module's prerequisites, learning outcomes, assessment and contact hours are given in the official module description in the Faculty Handbook - follow the link above. A detailed description of the module's content is given below, together with book lists and a link to the current library catalogue entries. For an explanation of the library's categorisation system see https://www.dur.ac.uk/physics/students/library/

Content

Classical Mechanics

Required: Analytical Mechanics, L.N. Hand and J.D. Finch (CUP, 1998)The course is defined by material in this book, in particular Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6, 9. Chapters 3, 4, 7, 8, have been covered to some degree in L1 Foundations, but the content is extended, and presented in a more formal and abstract way.

Quantum Theory

Required: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, B.H. Bransden and C.J. Joachain (Prentice Hall, 2nd Edition)The course is defined by material contained in this book and in particular the material defined in the syllabus below where the numbers refer to the sections in the book.

Syllabus:

State of a system and Dirac notation [5.1]

Linear operators, eigenvalues, etc, Hermitean operators [5.2]

Expansion of eigenfunctions [5.3]

Commutation relations, Heisenberg uncertainty [5.4]

Unitary transforms [5.5]

Matrix representations [5.6]

SE and time evolution [5.7]

Schrödinger, Heisenberg and Interaction pictures [5.8]

Symmetry principles and conservation [5.10]

Angular momentum (operator form) [6.1, 6.3]

Orbital angular momentum (operator form) [6.2]

examples: Particle on sphere/rigid rotator [6.4]

General angular momentum (operator form) [6.5]

Matrix representation of angular momentum operators [6.6]

Spin angular momentum [6.7]

Spin 1/2 [6.8]

Pauli spin matrices [6.8]

Total angular momentum [6.9]

Addition of angular momentum [6.10]

Revision

2 lectures in Easter Term, one by each lecturer

Teaching methods

Lectures: 2 one-hour lectures per week.

Workshops: These provide an opportunity to work through and digest the course material by attempting exercises assisted by direct interaction with the workshop leaders. They also provide opportunity for you to obtain further feedback on the self-assessed formative weekly problems. Students will be divided into four groups, each of which will attend one one-hour class every week. The workshops for this module are not compulsory.